Signal device for railways



May 25 1926. y 1358x1891 R. EL CHATHAM SIGNAL DEVICE FOR RAILWAMYS F'iled-Sept. 2l, 1925 4 atroz-wept Patented May 25, 1926.

UNrreo` stares ROBERT E. CI-IAIHAM, OF. DALLAS, TEXAS.

SIGNAL DEVICE RAILWAYS.

Application ledcptember 21, 1925. Seriall No. 57,578.

This invention relates to improvements in railway signals and in such connection it relates more` particularlyto" that part of the signal apparatus which provides the connection between the track and the wired conjilictions leading to the semaphore, or the The principal object of the invention is to provide a simple and eectual attachment for railway rails arranged in the path of the wheel flange so that the wheel or wheels will ride thereon and depress the attachment and make the connection to the semaphore. The attachment is also arranged so as to provide a single or double circuit as desired, both circuits being operable in the same manner as the car wheel travels over the attachment. The invention provides in its arrangement and parts means for protecting the contact parts and is otherwise strong and durable.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention will be more clearly understood 'from a perusal of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming part hereof and in which Figure 1 is a side elevational View of a portion of a railway rail and illustrating $0 the1 attachment in operable position on the rai Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the attachment along the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a similar view along the line 3 8 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a detailed sectional view showing a modification of a double contact.

In carrying out the invention, there is provided an angle iron 1, the lower portion so shaped as to be conformably seated upon the base 2 of the rail, the upper surface of the angle Viron providing a horizontal surface in parallel relationship to the head 4 of the rail. The rear surface of the angle iron is slightly depressed at 5 so that when tight ened against the web 6 of the rail it will provide a gripping effect.

Upon the upper surface 3 of the angle iron is supported a rocker arm 7 which has a rounded portion 8 and a rounded head 9. The rocker arm 7 is secured to a vertical leg 10 b screws 11, the leg projecting downwar infront of the base 2. The rocker arm is connected to the rail by a bolt 12 passed therethrough and through the angle! iron anduthe web 6. A lock-nut 13 holds the rocker arm in place.

Underneath the rail base 2 are-insulating plates 14 interposed between which is a metallic contact plate 15 connected to a wire 16. A wire 17 connected to the web 6 completes a wired circuit for an electric source of power to operate the semaphore or signal.

'The illustration in Figure 2 shows a single circuit arrangement while Figure 4 illustrates a double circuit, with contact plates 18-18 and insulating plates 1'9. A support 2O is secured to the lower portion 1 of the angle iron and to the rail base 2 on one side by a plate 21 and a similar plate 22 secures the rail base 2 to the support 2O on the opposite side. The aperture 23 in the rocker arm 7 permits the latter to move freely.

In operation, the wheel 24 of the locomotive will ride upon the rocker arm head 9 which will rock the same into the position shown by dotted lines in Figure 1. As the wheel moves fairly upon the rocker arm the leg 10 will depress the contact plate and connect the circuit to operate the signal.

It should be understood that the invention is not limited tothe particular construction shown in the drawings for carrying out the invention, but that changes may bemade as desired in keeping with the spirit of the invention and also such equivalents pertaining to the art as set forth in the lfollowing claims.

I claim 1. In a railway signal contact device, a rocker arm, a support therefor, said support and arm connected to a railway rail by a bolt, a lock-nut on the outer end of the bolt, said rocker arm having an opening of larger diameter than the bolt to permit the rocker arm to move freely upon the bolt and its support; said arm having an enlarged and rounded head portion on one end and an underprojection, the latter adapted to permit the arm to rock upon its support; a leg on the arm, contact plates and a support therefor underneath the leg, and a wire connected to said rail and contact plates.

2. In a railway signal Contact device, a rocker arm, a support therefor, said support and arm connected to a railway rail, said arm having an enlarged head ortion and a rounded under projection, sai projection enabling the arm to rock upon its support, means for pivotally locking the arm and curing its support to a railway rail; a leg on the arm, Contact plates and a support therefor underneath the leg and a Wire connected to the rail and Contact plates; said leg and plates adapted to be moved together as the railway equipment passes over the rail.

3. In a railway signal Contact device, an arm and a support therefor attached to a railway rail, said arm having a rocker thereon; a leg depending from the arm, contact plates and a support therefor beneath the leg; insulating elements between the plates; wires connected to said rail and said plates; and a brace on each side oi the rail to hold the plate supporting element to the rail, said leg arranged t0 be pressed downward as the railway wheels ride upon the arm and cause the leg to be moved against the contact plates to close an electric eir- 20 cuit in a signal apparatus.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

ROBERT E. CHATHAM. 

